The Week That Was
The reintroduction would not go as swimmingly as their last performance. The Pens scored the first goal roughly five minutes into the game when Nick Spaling got his first goal as a Penguin. It would begin to go downhill from there. The Pens would have trouble from then on gaining entrance into the Flyers zone, something that increasingly frustrated the Penguins as the night continued. By the end of the first period, the Pens would lose the lead as well. Mark Streit tied the game midway through the period and Pierre-Eduoard Bellemere scored his first NHL goal four minutes later. The Pens were losing after one.
Things would not get much better in the second, despite the Penguins tying the score. Paul Martin shot was redirected off several Flyers on the way to the net before finding itself in there. The Pens tied the game, but continued to struggle entering the zone and getting any sustained pressure. They went to the dressing room tied at two.
The Pens struggles continued and by the midway point of the period they would find themselves down two goals. RJ Umberger and Matt Read each scored their firsts of the season and put the Flyers ahead for good. Marcel Goc would score his first of the season and first as a Penguin with roughly five minutes left. The Pens were able to get some pressure in the last few minutes, but more passes than shots resulted in a deflected puck into the Penguins empty net. Final score, 5-3 Flyers.
The following night the Pens headed to Detroit with the hope of getting back on track. The first period at the Joe would go swimmingly for the Pens. Blake Comeau was elevated to the 2nd line as Evgeni Malkin returned to center on this night. Comeau would find Dupuis streaking up the slot and he would knock it home just five minutes into the game. Five minutes later, Blake Comeau would find Olli Maatta who would give the Pens a two-nothing lead with less than five less in the period. Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall would get the Wings within one before the period ended.
Everything really went to hell following the first period. The Pens came out with very little urgency and allowed the Wings to dominate play. Luckily, Thomas Greiss was sharp and able to keep the Wings from getting any pass him. In the process, Chris Kunitz would snap a shot pass Jimmy Howard to make it a two goal lead heading to the third.
Unfortunately, the third would be worse than the second for the Pens. They appeared to be sluggish and showed little hustle. With just five minutes left, the lead was still two, but it would be tied at three when the horn blew to signal the period's end. Captain Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall would be responsible for tying it up.
In the overtime, the Pens had a few chances, but they would come up short. With just forty seconds left, Justin Abdelkader would find the back of the net to finish off the comeback and steal a win from the Penguins 4-3 in OT.
The Pens would spend Friday studying tape before engaging former teammate James Neal and the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Pens would have a complete workman like game against the Predators. Not the most entertaining of affairs, but a solid performance overall. Sidney Crosby would give the Pens the lead for good in the first period with a jammed in rebound. Nothing would come from the rest of the period or the second before Evgeni Malkin and Pascal Dupuis would add power play tallies to ensure the victory. Marc-Andre Fleury would get the shutout and the Pens would win 3 to 0.
My 3 Stars of the Week
1. Olli Maatta: In a week that was not too kind to Penguins defensemen, it was a good week for the youngest member of the corps. Though his plus/minus was a -3, Maatta was incredibly strong defensively, and that number was a result of his partner. Olli's defensive numbers were solid in my eyes and they alone got him into my three stars. Here they were: 5 blocked shots, 2 hits, 8:24 shorthanded ice time and averaged 21:00 minutes a night. Now, what got him to number one on my list? His offensive play. He saw some 4:10 on the power play this week but added his points at even strength - scoring a goal v. Detroit and assisting on Crosby's tally v. Nashville. A great week for the young defenseman who does nothing but continue to impress me.
2. Pascal Dupuis: Duper had a dreadful game against Philadelphia on Wednesday, but came back strong against Detroit and Nashville. He had two goals this week on eight total shots. He averaged 18 minutes a night and played 4:58 on the penalty kill this week. He also added five hits. He was a non-factor v. PHI, but his play in the next two was enough to get him on this list. Also, congrats to Duper who earned his 400th NHL point from his goal v. Nashville on Saturday.
3. Steve Downie: Yeah, this was one I really went back and forth with for a while, but overall, Downie was solid. Anytime you get offensive production from a bottom six guy, you really cannot ask for more. Downie put up two assist this week and was one of only a handful of guys who were a plus on the week - Downie was a +1. He only had two shots, but had three hits, two blocks and averaged 13:30 a night. What got him here? His role as the agitator. He was great against Philly in that role and was able to goad them into some penalties. He cost the Pens some penalties v. Detroit, but was pretty good again v. Nashville Saturday.
Pros & Cons from The Past Week
Penalty Kill (PRO): Despite the struggles of the team, the Pens penalty kill was absolutely phenomenal this week. They entered the week killing of seven straight penalties and ended it with it grown to sixteen and intact going into the new week. That is an impressive stat, especially when you look at the opponents the Pens faced this week.
Effort (CON): There was really a lack of effort from the boys this week that we got frustrated with and accustomed to, unfortunately, last season. Many of the boys just got frustrated in the Philly game and gave up after giving up the go-ahead goal. In Detroit, they only played 20 minutes before going through the motions the last 45 minutes. As far as I am concerned, there is never a reason to not hustle and out work the opponent. You don't win games on paper and even if you get a two goal lead, no NHL team is going to roll over play dead when there is 40+ minutes left. It is frustrating to and Pens fans are sick of it. I know I am. The effort v. Nashville was where it was supposed to be, you saw the results.
Bottom Six Scoring (PRO): The Pens got goals and points this week from a bunch of guys in their bottom six. Spaling and Goc had goals for those guys, while Blake Comeau, Steve Downie and Spaling added assists in this week's contests. It's important to get some production from guys like that, especially in the playoffs. It was good to see that these guys put some points up despite the struggles of the team as a whole.
The Power Play (CON): The league's best power play stalled against Philly and was no where to be found v. Detroit before reappearing in Nashville. The problem? The usual problem: too much passing, no one shooting. The Pens power play against Philly and Detroit was looking for the perfect shot instead of putting pucks on net. Which led to pass after pass after pass until someone did something stupid and it ended up heading down to the Pens own zone. It got back on track in Nashville, but it is something that has to be watched going forward.
Defensive Points Production (PROS): The Pens finally got some points and goals from defensemen not named Letang this week. Coming into the week, only Maatta and Letang had more than one point from the D corps and this week two goals and four assists (Maatta and Martin had the goals while Ehrhoff, Maatta and Despres had assists). I want to see more from this group, especially Ehrhoff who has a great shot from the point.
3rd Period Play (CON): It is something I want to keep an eye on going forward. The Pens were horrible in the 3rd against both Philly and Detroit. The Pens couldn't handle the pressure it seemed, especially in Detroit when they had a two goal lead with only 2:30 left in the game. The Pens need to learn how to win these close games. Now, part of this will come back to the effort aspect discussed earlier, but they do need to be more sound and less flash when it comes to crunch time in the 3rd period.
A Look Ahead
As I mentioned earlier, the Devils looked to build up their offensive corps in the offseason and did so. They added Mike Cammalleri from Calgary and Martin Havlat from San Jose. They lost two of their top defensemen in Anton Volchenkov and Mark Fayne, but got younger with the emergence of Eric Gelinas and Damon Severson. The Devils are still led by the likes of Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac and Jaromir Jagr and Adam Henrique has returned to form after a few down years caused by shoulder problems. Cory Schneider appears to be living up to his past hype and is playing solid hockey in net now that Martin Brodeur isn't breathing over his shoulder.
Here are some notes on the Devils coming into the week:
The Devils are 4-2-2 and sit T-2 in the Metropolitan Division.
Offseason Additions: LW Mike Cammalleri, RW Marty Havlat, G Scott Clemmensen
Offseason Subtractions: G Martin Brodeur, D Mark Fayne, D Anton Volchenkov
Leading Scorers (NOTE: Stats as of Sunday, Oct. 26):
- C Adam Henrique - 8pts (3G-5A)
- LW Mike Cammalleri - 7pts (5G-2A)
- D Damon Severson - 7pts (4G-3A)
- RW Jaromir Jagr - 6pts (2G-4A)
- C Patrik Elias - 5pts (1G-4A)
Devils Injuries:
- RW Marty Havlat (facial lacerations) - Day to Day
- RW Jordan Tootoo (foot) - Injured Reserve, OUT v. Pittsburgh
The Kings picked up right where they left off in June and find themselves off to a great start again. They currently sit at 6-1-1 with a game in Philadelphia ahead of them before their matchup in Pittsburgh on Thursday night. The Kings have missed the scoring touch of Marian Gaborik who has been out with an injury and lost defenseman Slava Voynov to suspension for domestic violence. Yet, the Kings are rolling and it is behind their Conn Smythe winning goalie in Jonathan Quick.
Here is what you need to know about the Kings coming into Thursday:
Kings are 6-1-1 on the season and currently sit one point behind the Ducks in the Pacific Division.
They will play in Philadelphia on Tuesday before they are hosted by the Penguins on Thursday.
Offseason Additions: NONE
Offseason Subtractions: D Willie Mitchell
Leading Scorers (As of Sunday, Oct. 26th):
- C Jeff Carter - 12pts (5G-7A)
- C Tyler Toffoli - 12pts (4G-8A)
- LW Tanner Pearson - 9pts (7G-2A)
- D Drew Doughty - 4pts (0G-4A)
- C Anze Kopitar - 3pts (2G-1A)
Kings Injuries:
- Anze Kopitar (upper body) - left Sunday's game and did not return. Status at this time unknown.
- Marian Gaborik (undisclosed) - status unknown. Has been day-to-day for over a week now.
- Trevor Lewis (upper body) - Day-to-Day
The thing that is misreading is looking at some of the players on this roster, this isn't a bad team. They traded away their franchise players last season in Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott, but what they brought in in the mean time has some talent. The Sabres brought back Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick, both of whom were part of the team last year. They also brought in Brian Gionta to become their captain, along with veteran defensemen Josh Gorges and Andrej Meszaros. They may be on #McDavidWatch, but their 2014 Draft brought them two incredible offensive talents in Sam Reinhart and Brendan Lemieux. The Sabres are looking to the future, but they never roll over for the Pens.
Here is what you need to know about the Sabres heading into the week:
Buffalo is off to a 2-7-0 start and currently sit dead last in the Atlantic Division.
The Sabres have two games this week before their Saturday night matchup with the Penguins. They will be in Toronto on Tuesday before returning home to host the Bruins on Thursday.
Offseason Additions: LW Matt Moulson, C Sam Reinhart, RW Brian Gionta, RW Cody McCormick, D Josh Gorges, D Andrej Meszaros
Offseason Subtractions: D Christian Ehrhoff, RW Cory Conacher, LW Ville Leino, D John Scott
Leading Scorers:
- RW Drew Stafford - 4pts (0G-4A)
- C Tyler Ennis - 3pts (3G-0A)
- LW Marcus Foligno - 3pts (2G-1A)
- C Zemgus Girgensons - 3pts (2G-1A)
Injury Report:
- C Zenon Konopka (Suspension) - OUT
- RW Patrick Kaleta (Face) - OUT
Closing Remarks
It should be interesting to see what the injury status is coming up. Bortuzzo has been skating a lot and should be ready to return to the lineup this week, maybe even as early as Tuesday. Beau Bennett has skated occasionally, and it was stated that he was ready to go back to practice within 10 days. Well, that is this week. So I will be looking for the young forward to begin practicing again this week.
Just a couple reminders. I have posted several new write-ups this weekend. The game reviews for Philly and Detroit are up. Saturday I posted an article about Scott Harrington and the interesting case he is currently apart of. I think you will enjoy that very much. Also, be sure to read the View From Where I Sat for the Nashville game. Here are the links to all those posts.
View From Where I Sat:
- Flyers: http://bigdavespenspregame.weebly.com/blog/the-view-from-where-i-sat-game-5-v-philthadelphia
- Red Wings: http://bigdavespenspregame.weebly.com/blog/the-view-from-where-i-sat-game-6-detroit
- Predators: http://bigdavespenspregame.weebly.com/blog/the-view-from-where-i-sat-game-7-nashville
The Curious Case of Scott Harrington: http://bigdavespenspregame.weebly.com/blog/the-curious-case-of-scott-harrington
Thank you all for reading. Please continue to check back to the blog as well as the Twitter and Facebook pages.
Cheers!